Heaton – Greasy ball will cause problems

A view of the Official Nike Ordem Premier League match ball during the pre-season friendly match at the DW Stadium, Wigan. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 16, 2016. See PA story SOCCER Wigan. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Published:12:29Thursday 11 August 2016

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Clarets skipper Tom Heaton feels the new Premier League ball could cause keepers some problems.

Heaton said: “You can sort of see it’s a little bit greasier when it gets wet, which is never great. But I actually prefer it. The European Championship ball was one of the most difficult that I’ve worked with. But it’s your job to keep it out of the net and you find a way to do it.”

“It flies a little bit truer, rather than the old random flight which other balls can do at times, certainly the European Championship ball.

“That was one of the most difficult that I’ve worked with. If it doesn’t fly true it’s difficult in goal.

“These fine details, there’s a lot of them. The Euros ball was all over the show to be fair, it makes it difficult especially with the way players kick it these days and the power they generate. A lot of them try the wobble free-kick.

“But it’s your job to keep it out of the net and you find a way to do it.”

Heaton accepts keepers just have to get on with it: “You try and get as used to it as possible. We usually have a day where we say ‘here we go again’ but you quickly get your head around it.”